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Tobin Bridge road repairs completed ahead of schedule

by Record Staff • October 3, 2009 • Comments Off on Tobin Bridge road repairs completed ahead of schedule

For those of us that use the Tobin Bridge on a regular basis, the 15 months of months of construction and traffic seemed like an eternity. However, the roadwork is over and the lower level of the bridge had been reopened to three lanes over the weekend and was ahead of schedule.

Massport made the announcement last week and on Saturday morning the lower level northbound reopened to three lanes during peak travel hours as re-decking work was completed.

The $22 million project to replace more than 3,000 feet of roadway was completed nine months ahead of schedule and brings to an end 15 months of alternating lane closures on the northbound roadway.

“This work is important to maintain the bridge in good condition and we are extremely happy it was completed early,” said Bridge Director Mary Jane O’Meara. “The last several months have been tough on our commuters, and we thank them for their patience and understanding throughout this important project.”

Since July 2008, an average of 25 workers a day have replaced more than 3,000 feet of deck starting just before the Little Mystic Truss, and concluding at the Beacon Street Off-ramp. They removed 672 cubic yards of asphalt, took out nearly 1,000 cubic yards of concrete that filled the steel grid deck. The deck was refilled with concrete, and then topped off with a rubberized pavement. The rubberized pavement is expected to protect the bridge’s steel and concrete components from water damage. Additional work included the replacement of expansion joints, a new drainage system, and other steel repairs.

Although the re-decking is complete, motorists may still experience a lane closure during off-peak hours while finish work is put into place. These off-peak closures on the lower level are expected to last into November.

With the completion of the sixth phase of re-decking, approximately 12,000 feet of roadway on the lower level has been replaced, with roughly 2,000 feet awaiting work.

The Tobin Bridge was opened to traffic in 1950, and is a critical link between Boston and the North Shore. More than 72,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Massport works in conjunction with the 511 Information Service which allows motorists to dial 511 from their cell phones to get real-time traffic conditions or information. Motorists can also visit smartraveler.com